SBLive national high school girls volleyball rankings (10/17/2023)

Presetonwood Christian (Texas) jumps five spots into the Top 10; Lake Travis (Texas) and Hudsonville (Michigan) debut in the national rankings; Pace Academy (Georgia) and St. Francis (California) return

The Hamilton Southeastern Royals are on the march again – this time in the postseason.

Unbeaten HSE (Fishers, Ind.), coming off a perfect finish in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference (7-0), kept up its strong play last Saturday by winning the IHSAA Sectional Tournament at Zionsville. The Royals (29-0), who are ranked No. 1 in Indiana and received a first-round bye, swept past Zionsville and Noblesville by 3-0 scores to win the title.

The Royals, who feature seven Division I commits, have only dropped two sets all season. The defending Class 4A state champs, who have won 63 consecutive matches dating to last season, advanced to play Harrison (27-6) of Lafayette on Saturday, Oct. 21.

“I feel the team is playing great,” said Florida commit Lauren Harden, a senior outside hitter. “Obviously, there is always room to improve and get better, which is what we’re always pushing to do in practice, whether that is competing against each other or working towards a common goal.”

The SBLive Power 25 national high school volleyball rankings include teams affiliated with state high school athletic associations in the state they compete in or those allowed to play affiliate high schools in their home state and beyond.

The rankings will be released weekly throughout the 2023 volleyball season. Find the complete breakdown of the SBLive Power 25 below.

The Power 25 rankings are compiled by SBLive freelancer Jeff Gardenour based on research and conversations with an extensive network of coaching and media sources across the nation. Reach Jeff on Twitter @JMarkG1962 or email him at jgardenour1962@gmail.com

SBLIVE POWER 25 NATIONAL VOLLEYBALL RANKINGS

1. Hamilton Southeastern

(Fishers, Indiana) (29-0)

Last week: 1

The Royals last week extended their sweep streak to 15 with two wins at the IHSAA Sectional. Leading HSE are Harden; outside hitter Lindsey Mangelson, a Mississippi State commit; setter Ava Hunter, Loyola Chicago; middle hitter Breonna Goss, Duke; Libero Sophie Ledbetter, Ball State; setter Macy Hinshaw, Santa Clara; and middle hitter Tiffany Snook, Memphis.

Many of the team’s players compete for national powerhouse Munciana (Yorktown) and Munciana Indy (Fishers) during the club season.

2. Mater Dei

(Santa Ana, California) (35-2)

Last week: 2

The Monarchs last week defeated Orange Lutheran and (Rancho) Santa Margarita by 3-0 scores. The streaking Santa Ana squad has won 16 consecutive matches, including victories against national powers Assumption (Louisville), Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.), and Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach (Calif.). The Monarchs, who won the Trinity League (8-0) title, host Palos Verdes (Estates), which comes in at 21-8, for the 2023 CIF Southern Section Girls Volleyball Championship on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Leading the way for Mater Dei are Isabel Clark, Cymarah Gordon, Layli Ostovar, Emma Kingston, Malyssa Cawa, Tessa Hurley and Julia Kakkis.

3. Mira Costa

(Manhattan Beach, California) (35-2)

Last week: 3

The red-hot Mustangs, who earlier this month won their second consecutive Power Classic Tournament, last week swept past Culver City and Redondo (Beach) Union by 3-0 scores. Mira Costa finished first in the Bay League (10-0). Leading the team are Charlie Fuerbringer, Audrey Flanagan and Bryn Shankle.

4. Grand Oaks

(Spring, Texas) (40-1)

Last week: 4

The Grizzlies last week extended their winning streak to 14 with 3-0 sweeps of Oak Ridge of Conroe and New Caney. They visit Conroe (21-21) on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Leading the Grizzlies are Halle Thompson, Jaela Auguste, Cali Reece, Audrey Terry, and Samara Coleman.

5. Papillion-La Vista South

(Papillion, Nebraska) (31-0)

Last week: 5

The two-time defending Class A state champ Titans stretched their win streak to 42 matches dating to last season with a 3-0 victory against Papillion-La Vista High School. Ranked No. 1 in Nebraska, the Titans were scheduled to play Omaha Northwest and Bellevue East this week. Papio South is led by South Dakota commit/senior outside hitter Lauren Medeck, Lyric Judson, Kami Dyrstad, Charlee Solomon, and Morgan Bode.

6. Divine Savior Holy Angels

(Milwaukee, Wisconsin) (41-1)

Last week: 6

The defending WIAA Division 1 state champ last week defeated Menomonee Falls, 3-1, and Wauwatosa West, 3-0, to win the Greater Metro Conference championship (8-0). DHSA next heads to the playoffs on Oct. 21. DSHA is led by Sophia Wendlick, Maddie Brown, Olivia Durst, and Jordan Czajkowski.

7. Wayzata

(Plymouth, Minnesota) (27-0)

Last week: 8

The three-time defending Class 4A state champ Trojans last swept Chaska and Maple Grove by 3-0 scores to extend their winning streak to 37 matches dating to last season. They visit Minnetonka on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Leading the way are Olivia Swenson, Katie Kelzenburg, Bianca Nistor, Stella Swenson, and Avery Jesewitz.

8. McKinney Boyd

(McKinney, Texas) (27-1)

Last week: 9

The Broncos last week stretched their win streak to 17 with victories against Guyer (Denton) and Prosper. They visit Rock Hill (Frisco) on Friday, Oct. 20. Leading the Broncos are Ale Romo, Sasha Purdin, Keira Bose, Kali Vanderhoof, Carson Eickenloff, and Sara Quigley.

9. Prestonwood Christian Academy

(Plano, Texas) (30-4)

Last week: 14

The Texas power last week blew past Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth) and John Paul II (Plano) by 3-0 scores to extend their win streak to eight. The Lions visit Trinity Christian (Addison) on Tuesday and host Parish Episcopal (Dallas) on Thursday. Last year, PCA went 40-1, winning the TAPPS Class 6A state title.

10. Cathedral Catholic

(San Diego, California) (28-4)

Last week: 18

The defending national champion Dons last week went 5-0, beating Academy of Our Lady of Peace (San Diego), La Jolla, powerhouse Kamehameha (Kea’au, HI), Sage Creek (Carlsbad), and Point Loma (San Diego) in sweeps. The Dons host University City (San Diego) on Oct. 17. CCHS is led by senior middle blocker Jenna Hanes, junior Libero Maya Evens, senior opposite/outside hitter Ayva Moi, and senior setter Amanda Saeger.

11. Bob Jones

(Madison, Alabama) (46-2)

Last week: 10

The defending Class 7A state runner-up last week went 6-1, falling to Montgomery Academy, 2-1, in the championship final of Shrimp Fest. Leading the Patriots are Kennedy Vaughn, Eliza Tyrrell, Meg Jarrett, Riley Lovell, and Kalison Beigh.

12. Pace Academy

(Atlanta, Georgia) (32-3)

Last week: Unranked

The defending Class 4A state champ Knights lost twice in the first month, but have been on a tear since then, winning 20 of their last 21 matches. They beat Holy Innocent Episcopal and Lovett, a pair of Atlanta schools, by 3-0 sweeps to win the Region tournament. The Knights take on Seckinger (Buford) on Oct. 18 in the 2023 GHSA Volleyball State Championship playoffs.

13. Lake Travis

(Austin, Texas) 39-4

Last week: Unranked

This is a dangerous team on a 15-match winning streak, which includes victories against Texas powers Dripping Springs and Westlake (Austin). The Cavaliers host Akins on Tuesday and visit Dripping Springs on Friday.

14. Immaculate Heart Academy

(Washington Township, New Jersey) (22-1)

Last week: 12

The defending NJSIAA Non-Public A girls state champ lost to unbeaten Sparta (16-0) by a 2-0 score but then bounced back to beat DePaul Catholic (Wayne) and Ramapo (Franklin Lakes) by 2-0 scores. The Blue Eagles plays NV-Demarest (17-3) on Thursday, Oct. 19. Leading the way are Maddie Sandt, Rachel Paton, Emily Sabino, Abby Romero, Kalena Stavish, and Alessandra Nazor.

15. Hudsonville

(Hudsonville, Michigan) (36-2)

Last week: Unranked

The Eagles soared into the top 25 after beating Caledonia and West Ottawa (Holland) by 3-0 scores, stretching their winning streak to 29 matches. Located in the Grand Rapids Metro area, they host Grandville and East Kentwood this week.

16. Pope

(Marietta, Georgia) (35-3)

Last week: 17

The defending Class 6A state champ Greyhounds last week won the Region 7 championship with victories against Sprayberry (Marietta), Johns Creek and Alpharetta. The Greyhounds next take on Woodstock (30-9) on Oct. 17 in the 2023 GHSA Volleyball State Championship playoffs. Leading Pope are Fifi Harvey, Ellis Crawford, Dayla Ortiz, and Cooper Abney.

17. St. Francis

(Mountain View, California) (29-4)

Last week: Unranked

The Lancers have powered their way back into the national conversation, winning 16 of their last 17 matches. They defeated Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep (San Francisco), 3-0, last week. They visit Valley Christian (San Jose) and Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) this week. Last season, the Lancers finished as State Open Division runner-up to Cathedral Catholic.

18. Mother McAuley

(Chicago, Illinois) (29-5)

Last week: 13

The defending Class 4A state champ Mighty Macs last week went 6-1, falling to defending state runner-up Benet Academy (Lisle), 2-0, in a tournament final. Mother McAuley visits Lyons (LaGrange) on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Leading the Macs are senior outside hitter Ellie White, a Michigan commit, Ellery Rees, Samantha Falk, Peyton Heatherly, and Olivia Urbon.

19. Flint Hill

(Oakton, Virginia) (23-3)

Last week: 16

The defending Division I Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association (VISAA) state champ bounced back from a loss to The Academy of the Holy Cross (Kensington, Md) by beating Holton-Arms (Bethesda, Md.), 3-0. The Huskies were scheduled to play four matches this week. Leading the way are Mickhaila Murray, Ryla Jones, Evie Huang, and Natalie Nguyen.

20. Dike-New Hartford

(Dike, Iowa) (46-0)

Last week: 21

The defending Class 2A state runner-up Wolverines ripped off six more victories, including a quad triumph against Ankeny, Sumner-Fredericksburg and Wapsie Valley (Fairbank). Leading D-NH are senior outside hitters Payton Petersen and Jadyn Petersen, senior middle hitter Maryn Bixby, and Addy Joslin.

21. Lake Catholic

(Mentor, Ohio) (22-0)

Last week: 22

The defending OHSAA Division III state champ swept past the Beaumont School (Cleveland Heights) and Gilmour Academy (Gates Mills). They are led by Katie Sowko, Ahnna Bergant, Julia Oster, and Hannah Pattie.

22. Assumption

(Louisville, Kentucky) (29-5)

Last week: 20

The Rockets last week picked up a pair of huge victories, sweeping Paul Laurence Dunbar of Lexington, and Notre Dame Academy by 3-0 scores. Charlotte Moriarty, Bailey Blair, Kristen Simon, Emily Keiran, and Emilee Fuller lead Assumption.

23. Valor Christian

(Highlands, Ranch, Colorado) 16-0

Last week: 24

The Eagles last week swept Bear Creek (Lakewood), 3-0. Last year, the Eagles soared to a 29-0 record and the Class 5A state championship. They play Dakota Ridge on Oct. 17 and Ralston Valley (Arvada) on Oct. 18. Leading the way are Delaney Russell, Grace Langer, Bergen Waitman, Kaitlyn Lynch, and Chloe Elarton.

24. Carrollwood Day School

(Tampa, Florida) (24-2)

Last week: 25

The Patriots last week swept Braden River (Bradenton) and Santa Fe Catholic (Lakeland) by 3-0 scores. They take on Bishop McLaughlin (Spring Hill) in the Class 3A, District 9 tournament on Tuesday. Leading CDS are freshman outside hitter Lydia Chinchar, senior setter Naomi Chinchar, junior Libero Mattea Casale, and 6-2 junior middle blocker/outside hitter Sarah Dibbs-frantz.

25. Notre Dame Academy

(Park Hills, Kentucky) (25-5)

Last week: 7

The Pandas last week were stunned by Ursuline Academy of Cincinnati, 3-2, and then fell to powerful Assumption, 3-0. NDA is led by Ava Tilden, Audrey Dyas, Julia Grace, Ella Goetz, and Lauren Ott.

Honorable Mention

Plano West (Plano, Texas)

St. Mary’s Dominican (New Orleans, Louisiana)

Puyallup (Puallup, Washington)

St. James Academy (Lenexa, Kansas)

Lafayette (Wildwood, Missouri)

Calvary Christian (Clearwater, Florida)

Oconomowoc (Oconomowoc, Wisconsin)

O’Connor (Phoenix, Arizona)

Bellmont (Decatur, Indiana)

Byron Nelson (Trophy Club, Texas)

Blue Valley North (Overland Park, Kansas)

Marist (Chicago, Illinois)

Alpharetta (Alpharett, Georgia)

Kamehameha Kapalama (Kea’au, Hawaii)

Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, California).

Dropped out: Northville (Northville, Michigan), Dripping Springs (Dripping Springs, Texas), Punahou (Honolulu, Hawaii), Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, Texas).